With ArtPrize coming up, many students may have been made aware that our very own City scholars are being featured within this event. The GRPS SmartArt competition has reached its conclusion recently, and the top twenty finalists along with their pieces have been chosen to be displayed in ArtPrize, which spans from September 18th to October 4th. This leaves a great window to show support for the students whose pieces have been chosen to be displayed by going and checking out the event. Unfortunately, the last year to participate in SmartArt just concluded, as the main funder for the competition is no longer participating, although it is only being altered into a somewhat different contest that no longer goes by the title of SmartArt. Scholars who have a love for art and share a devotion for the environment may be interested in similar art contests such as the YoungArts National Arts Competition, Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, Science Without Borders Challenge, and various others.
For the students who participated in the SmartArt competition, the objective was to promote environmental awareness. The goal of the contest was to utilize the artistic skills of teens within the Grand Rapids community to explore the ideas of renewable energy and sustainability through their creative endeavors. This also provides the opportunity for young aspiring artists to have their works seen and showcased to experts. A plentiful range of prizes and scholarships are also provided to the top-placing participants within the contest.
For the SmartArt Competition of 2025, there have been seven participants selected from our very own school who are within the top twenty finalists: Sneha Dixit, Clara Guest, Judy Hollister, Lucy Kearney, Sylvie Mahlie, Lulu Nygaard Tap, and Elliot Williamson. Many of these individuals found the time to reflect and look back on their creative journey and the thought process that they had to undergo when crafting their pieces.
Though these contestants all ended up as finalists, they all took different approaches to get there. Various media forms were utilized in these artists’ approaches, ranging from excruciatingly detailed pencil drawings and digital media to the meticulous feats of sculpting, molding, and woodburning. Before actually beginning the process of assembling their works, the scholars had to seek inspiration in reference to which environmental cause they would like to investigate further. Lucy Kearney stated that her inspiration was people’s carbon footprints and the things individuals leave behind in nature, mainly focusing on how the results change the land and destroy it.
This competition also helps the participants to think more deeply about the effect of their artwork. Senior Elliot Williamson holds the hope that people will feel a sense of hope for our environment’s future when seeing the art produced as a result of the competition, as well as take away the message that if renewable energy sources are continually utilized and citizens take action to make a change, we will have a brighter future. The two sophomores, Sylvianne Mahlie and Sneha Dixit, contributed the idea that they are certain that this art can make a difference to those who are able to see the deeper meaning behind it, seeing as how the environment is the one thing that connects everyone, no matter who they may be. Sneha concludes that her ambition was to cause people to stop and think about their own daily actions and how those actions ripple out into the environment. Her goal is not to overwhelm people with guilt, but to inspire reflection. She states that if someone were to look at her piece and later choose to recycle, conserve energy, or simply spend more time appreciating nature, then her job as an artist would be fulfilled. Even one small shift in perspective can spark a consequential change over time.
It is incontestable that art is an ideal medium for articulating the environmentally conscious messages of SmartArt. Lucy and Sneha came to an agreement in saying that art has a certain ability to reach people emotionally in a way that facts, numbers, or even words simply cannot. Sneha elaborates that you can read statistics about climate change and forget them five minutes later, but when you connect with a portrayal of the issue through artistic expression, it stays with you. Art creates empathy, allowing people to feel the urgency of an issue rather than just understand it on a logical level. This empathy sparks responsibility, and responsibility leads to action. That is where art becomes truly powerful; when it transforms awareness into care, Sneha concludes.
On a final note, the finalists encourage others to partake in similar art contests. Elliot, Sneha, and Lucy prompt individuals considering joining such competitions not to be afraid to try, think ahead, and aim to create something meaningful. It’s vital to keep in mind that this is a message you want to share with the world, and that your voice matters. To those who may believe their perspective is small, Sneha hopes to remind them that art has a way of magnifying it. Entering a contest is less about competing and more about sharing a piece of yourself with others, while simultaneously urging them to see the message of environmental restoration you are aiming to convey.
SAGE SAUNDERS
Sage Saunders is currently a Sophomore at City, having joined The City Voice just this year. Sage is also involved in Be The Change, Girl Up, E-Club, and National Honor Society, as well as being a part of a competitive dance team through Dance Dimensions. In regard to her writing, she enjoys exploring topics of current events, exploring happenings on a local as well as national level. In addition, she finds interest in composing societal and cultural pieces.
- SAGE SAUNDERS
